Orchestra's arts centre move

The orchestra has been waiting for a new home

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales has announced it is to move its permanent base to the Wales Millennium Centre.

It will become the second biggest tenant at the building, currently under construction in Cardiff Bay.

The move, which is planned for the end of 2005, will give the orchestra a dedicated recording and rehearsing hall which can hold an audience of 500.

BBC NOW director David Murray said the orchestra had been waiting for a move since it expanded to a full symphony size in 1987.

"For the first time the orchestra and the BBC National Chorus of Wales will have our own state-of-the-art recording space and the opportunity to stage studio concerts involving the full orchestra before an audience.

"We will still mount a range of concerts at St David's Hall in Cardiff and other venues throughout Wales and the UK."

The centre is set to open in 2004

"But this gives us the chance to give people access to the work of Welsh composers and the less well-known parts of the classical repertoire.

"It also allows us to expand our education remit, enabling schoolchildren and other members of the public to come in and work with us.

"There will be the opportunity to work with other organisations at the Wales Millennium Centre in joint education and community outreach projects," he added.

"This is a very exciting announcement."

BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards said: "This is an expression of the BBC's confidence in the long-term role of BBC NOW, the only symphony orchestra in Wales.

"The new facility will offer great opportunities and allow the orchestra to explore new ideas.

"The design of the BBC NOW auditorium will be adaptable, enabling us to bring audiences into the heart of a wide variety of musical performances from BBC Wales."

Opera

Sir David Rowe-Beddoe, chairman of the Wales Millennium Centre, said he was delighted with the orchestra's announcement.

The £104m centre is set to open in November 2004 with a gala concert featuring Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel.

Other organisations expected to take up residency at the centre include Welsh National Opera, Academi, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, dance company Diversions and Hijinx Theatre.

Earlier this year, the former acting chief executive and director of performing arts at the Sydney Opera House, Judith Isherwood, was appointed as the chief executive of the centre.